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Old 07-30-2012, 08:07 AM   #1
Rick1300
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First trip! Getting 4.10's this week!

Me and the wife took our new cougar 21rbswe out this weekend for the first time!
I have a 99 dodge 1500 quad cab with the 5.9 gas and our climb out of town was SLOW. 20-25mph. Well this Wednesday she is getting 4.10's. That should make next weeks trip a little more enjoyable tow.
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Old 07-30-2012, 08:38 AM   #2
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Me and the wife took our new cougar 21rbswe out this weekend for the first time!
I have a 99 dodge 1500 quad cab with the 5.9 gas and our climb out of town was SLOW. 20-25mph. Well this Wednesday she is getting 4.10's. That should make next weeks trip a little more enjoyable tow.
Especially if you now have 3.53s ... My '94 had them and fuel mpg was great until you hit a hill or head-wind. Had a Dakota with 3.93s and that was kind of a happy medium like the 3.73 in my '04.5. It will definitely pull much better with 4.10s. Enjoy the change and travel safely Hank
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Old 07-30-2012, 09:20 AM   #3
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Yep, it only took one trip to realize the 3.55's suck for towing.
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Old 07-30-2012, 01:50 PM   #4
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Me and the wife took our new cougar 21rbswe out this weekend for the first time!
I have a 99 dodge 1500 quad cab with the 5.9 gas and our climb out of town was SLOW. 20-25mph. Well this Wednesday she is getting 4.10's. That should make next weeks trip a little more enjoyable tow.
Have you priced the cost of installing two 4:10 gear sets for the differentials?

I would consider trading in the truck and buying a used diesel pick-up truck with either 3:73 or 4:10's gear set in it. This would be a better investment in the long run than changing out the gear sets in the current pick-up truck.

I know of several older model 5.9L Cummins equipped pick-up trucks that get up to 20 MPG when not towing on the highway and 11 MPG towing trailers. These are all 3/4 ton or 1 ton SRW trucks from 2002 to 2007 models pick-up trucks.
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Old 07-30-2012, 02:08 PM   #5
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..I would consider trading in the truck and buying a used diesel pick-up truck with either 3:73 or 4:10's gear set in it. This would be a better investment in the long run than changing out the gear sets in the current pick-up truck...
I agree with this whole-heartedly...

Investing in a gear ratio change ($$ with 2wd, $$$$ with 4wd) on a 1999 model truck is a poor investment IMHO.

Depending on elevation of your "climb" you reported, I seriously doubt the gear ratio change is going to be of much help to your gas motor.

At sea level to lower elevations, yeah, the ratio change will help with launch from stop... And will help with gear-hunting at speed...

But on a climb at elevation, the gas motor is starving for oxygen so much that it's a futile attempt IMHO..

I wish I had a more favorable opinion of what you propose, but I think you're going to be really disappointed.
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Old 07-30-2012, 03:04 PM   #6
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Luckily the owner of the Drivetrain shop is an old family friend and I will be getting the whole deal for less than 1000.00$.

A different truck would be ideal if I had the money but for now this old turd will do fine for my lazy adventures.
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Old 07-30-2012, 03:42 PM   #7
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Luckily the owner of the Drivetrain shop is an old family friend and I will be getting the whole deal for less than 1000.00$.

A different truck would be ideal if I had the money but for now this old turd will do fine for my lazy adventures.
$1000 for two axles is about full retail price around here.

Expect to pay $125-$150 for parts and the same for labor - per axle.
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Old 07-30-2012, 04:56 PM   #8
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As I said, family friend. All taken care of. Oh yeah, if 1000$ is retail for your neck of the woods I need to move! That under 1000$ is installed, total.
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Old 07-30-2012, 05:43 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Rick1300 View Post
Me and the wife took our new cougar 21rbswe out this weekend for the first time!
I have a 99 dodge 1500 quad cab with the 5.9 gas and our climb out of town was SLOW. 20-25mph. Well this Wednesday she is getting 4.10's. That should make next weeks trip a little more enjoyable tow.
What climb???
I recall the Boise is flat land.

I can pull grades at speed with my 11.5K 5er with a 5.9 Cummins and 3.55's, you might have more issues than gear ratio!
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Old 07-30-2012, 06:19 PM   #10
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What climb???
I recall the Boise is flat land.

I can pull grades at speed with my 11.5K 5er with a 5.9 Cummins and 3.55's, you might have more issues than gear ratio!
If you head north at all you have to climb. North on 55 and north on 21. My 5.9 is gas not diesel. If I had a Cummins I would have a TT that was bigger then 21'.
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Old 07-30-2012, 06:23 PM   #11
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Lots of good advise here. Keep it coming.
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Old 07-30-2012, 06:36 PM   #12
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1000 bucks is one diff up here in the Pacific North West. I paid that for just my 10 bolt in the Trans Am.
So 1000 for two? Sounds good to me.
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Old 07-30-2012, 06:36 PM   #13
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You can always buy another 1/2 ton and hook it up to the first like trains do. You would have a 1 ton at that point. Something to think about??? Lol
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Old 07-30-2012, 06:50 PM   #14
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You can always buy another 1/2 ton and hook it up to the first like trains do. You would have a 1 ton at that point. Something to think about??? Lol
Haha! I like your thinking!! Chooochooooooo!!! Lol
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Old 07-30-2012, 10:58 PM   #15
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If you head north at all you have to climb. North on 55 and north on 21. My 5.9 is gas not diesel. If I had a Cummins I would have a TT that was bigger then 21'.
That's a baby cimb especially that run up White Birch. I had a great time pulling up thru there a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful area, had a blast in Cascade fishing and swimming. The locals were very nice.
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Old 07-31-2012, 05:02 AM   #16
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That's a baby cimb especially that run up White Birch. I had a great time pulling up thru there a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful area, had a blast in Cascade fishing and swimming. The locals were very nice.
There are some good rainbows in that lake!! Did you find any of them?
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Old 07-31-2012, 05:06 AM   #17
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Not everyone can afford to go buy a new truck just to pull a TT a few times a year. I think the new gear set will be a huge help.

So if you dont no a persons income PLEASE dont rain on there paraid by telling them that this or that is a " poor investment " it just sounds rude.

Any way I hope you enjoy your new TT and have a lot of good times.
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Old 07-31-2012, 06:09 AM   #18
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Not everyone can afford to go buy a new truck just to pull a TT a few times a year. I think the new gear set will be a huge help.

So if you dont no a persons income PLEASE dont rain on there paraid by telling them that this or that is a " poor investment " it just sounds rude.

Any way I hope you enjoy your new TT and have a lot of good times.
I did not specify a new truck; I suggest a good use pick-up truck would be a better option than installing new 4:10 gear sets in a gasser pick-up truck.

What the OP needs to understand is the torque output and HP range of a diesel engine. Most diesel engines will develop their (like the Cummins engines do) usable HP and torque around 1200 RPM's and continue through 2,700 RPM's when the torque will start to fall off. I do not know of any gas engine that has this style of power band. Most gas engines will develop their usable power in the higher peak ranges of the power curve for those engines. Also remember that Torque will get the load moving but HP is needed to keep it moving.

Tire size, differential size being used, Torque convert if automatic transmission and gear selection along with the engine HP/Torque output all determines what the vehicle can achieve as far as towing on a grade. Like one of the other poster had stated once he adds the 4:10 gear set he will still be disappointed in the change.

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Old 07-31-2012, 06:15 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by 2011 keystone View Post
Not everyone can afford to go buy a new truck just to pull a TT a few times a year. I think the new gear set will be a huge help.

So if you dont no a persons income PLEASE dont rain on there paraid by telling them that this or that is a " poor investment " it just sounds rude.

Any way I hope you enjoy your new TT and have a lot of good times.
Thanks! We love the TT!! We have a few friends that have 5thw's and TT's so we saved and sold the motorcycle to get ours. I did not have a TV so I traded a good friend my 97 pathfinder straight across for the dodge. He wanted better mpg and I needed more towing. Worked great for both of us!
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Old 07-31-2012, 06:20 AM   #20
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I did not specify a new truck; I suggest a good use pick-up truck would be a better option than installing new 4:10 gear sets in a gasser pick-up truck.

What the OP needs to understand is the torque output and HP range of a diesel engine. Most diesel engines will develop their (like the Cummins engines do) usable HP and torque around 1200 RPM's and continue through 2,700 RPM's when the torque will start to fall off. I do not know of any gas engine that has this style of power band. Most gas engines will develop their usable power in the higher peak ranges of the power curve for those engines. Also remember that Torque will get the load moving but HP is needed to keep it moving.

Tire size, differential size being used, Torque convert if automatic transmission and gear selection along with the engine HP/Torque output all determines what the vehicle can achieve as far as towing on a grade. Like one of the other poster had stated once he adds the 4:10 gear set he will still be disappointed in the change.

Jim W.
Jim, I appreciate your insight. I don't think the changes will be a cure all. But the small difference will be a welcome change.
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